Volunteering
Volunteering can open the door to new opportunities throughout your time at Edge Hill University and inspire your future career. By volunteering you can connect with others who are making a difference within the community, as well as enhancing your future career prospects by developing your skills through valuable experience.
Volunteering can be flexible allowing you to give your time around your studies and other commitments, whether that be a few hours per month or a few days per week. Find out more by completing the pathway Getting Started with Volunteering, here you will find information on how to get started with volunteering, what kind of opportunities you can get involved with, where to find quality volunteering opportunities and how Careers can help you with the process.
You can apply to the Student Opportunity Fund to help with costs for some volunteering activities. Some organisations may also offer to cover travel expenses.
There are many ways you can get involved in volunteering whether you are looking for regular flexible roles or micro-volunteering as a one off. If you would like support in finding the right role for you, Careers are here to help. Book a ‘Getting Started With’ appointment.
Getting Started with Volunteering PathwayBenefits of volunteering
Volunteering can help you to:
- Enhance your CV work experience
- Gain new skills and develop existing ones
- Access accredited training
- Build your confidence
- Go into paid work with the same organisation
- Build up a network of contacts
- Get a professional reference
- Get the edge over other applicants for graduate jobs
Edge Hill University values your contribution as a volunteer and by participating in the Extra Edge Award you can also gain a valuable qualification through your voluntary experiences. This is a great way to enhance your CV and demonstrate your abilities to graduate employers.
Positive opportunities
Volunteering isn’t just about improving career prospects, it’s also about enjoying yourself and making a difference. You may wish to volunteer in a role that’s not related to your studies at all, simply because it’s something that you are passionate about. Here are some examples of voluntary roles to get you thinking about how you can get involved:
- Public service such as Police Cadet leaders
- Social media and marketing
- Youth mentoring
- Sports coaching
- Mental health support
- Facilitating community groups
- Supporting local attractions
The right experience for you
There are volunteer opportunities for everyone, whatever your interests or course may be and however much time you can give. Careers are here to help you to discover the right volunteering opportunity for you. When you apply for a role, we can also check your CV or application form and give you useful feedback to help you to make the most effective application and stand out from the crowd.
Take a look at our student volunteering handbook for important information on volunteering including what to expect and your rights and responsibilities. If you’re ready to find voluntary experience locally, we recommend using our careers vacancy portal. You could also book a ‘Getting Started With’ appointment or Ask A Question.
Feeling inspired? Take a look at the available opportunities using our careers vacancy portal. Here you can find a range of current opportunities within 25 miles of Edge Hill University.
Find volunteering opportunitiesVolunteering abroad
Careers do not endorse any individual organisations offering international volunteering opportunities, as the quality of experience and support can vary. However, we can offer advice and guidance on where to start looking for opportunities.
International volunteering is an exciting experience, but it also means hard work far from home, so it is vital that you are passionate and enthusiastic about it. You can find further guidance in our pathway Getting Started with International Volunteering.
Getting Started with International Volunteering Pathway